I wanted to settle in and begin my work quietly before the neighbourhood knew of my existence; but if Uncle Max published my intended arrival in every house he visited, I felt I could not even worship in comfort, for fear the congregation should be eying me suspiciously.
I thought it better to change the subject: so I began to question him about Mr.Tudor and Mrs.Drabble, the latter being the ruling power at the vicarage; and he fell upon the bait and swallowed it eagerly, so my vexation passed unnoticed.
Uncle Max did not live quite alone.

His house was large, far too large for an unmarried man, and he was very sociable by nature, so he induced his curate to take up his abode with him; but the two men and Mrs.
Drabble, the housekeeper, and the maid under her, could not fill it, and several rooms were shut up.

Lawrence Tudor had been a pupil of Uncle Max, and the two were very much attached to each other.

Uncle Max had brought him up once or twice to Hyde Park Gate, and we had all been much pleased with him.

He was not in the least good-looking, but I remember Sara said he was gentlemanly and pleasant and had a nice voice.